A Quarter Century of SA Bodyboarding Champs History - well, almost!
Kelly Footit21st September 2011
Wayhey! SA Champs is turning the big Twenty Five - a whole quarter of a century! That's a big one and worthy of a bit of celebration and with South Africa's bodyboarding elite migrating to the Mother City it is Western Province who are our host for the champs and the celebrations - the pressure is on!
So it goes without saying that there have been 24 - or 2 dozen - past Champions and so I thought I would dig up the list of past champs for everyone.
If you're a Central Kwa-Zulu Natal bodyboarder or supporter then you will probably already know that CKZN has won a staggering 21 of those titles. What you will probably be trying to forget is that Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal wrestled it off you in your backyard last year and are the current holders of the Team title. I somehow sense CKZN might have a score to settle this year, so it could be interesting. SKZN last won the title back in 2002 and relinqueshed the next year back to CKZN so they will no doubt be trying to better that record.
Western Province, the hosts, have one solitary win back in 1991 when they hosted the Champs and given the pool they have to draw from and some of the big names to come out of WP, you'd have to say that on paper they are the under-achiever in the team event - a record which they will be looking to set straight once again this year.
History has shown these three provinces to be the top 3 contenders but I'll be looking out for some improved performances from down the order. From a South African bodyboarding perspective it is always great to see the standard improving and talent emerging from other regions.
Inter-provincial Team Champion
1987-1990 Natal*
1991 Western Province
1992-2001 Natal*
2002 Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal
2003-2009 Central Kwa-Zulu Natal
2010 Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal
* Natal was renamed to Central Kwa-Zulu Natal
From the individual results the following bodyboarders have been South Africa's most successful champions with 3 or more wins:
Alistair Taylor x 8 (5 x Pro, 1 x Junior, 2 x Boys)
Mike van Huyssteen x 8 (2 x Pro, 5 x Masters, 1 x Grand Masters)
Sacha Specker x 5 (1 x Pro, 4 x Dropknee)
Craig Maree x 4 (1 x Pro, 3 x Dropknee)
Wayne Beekman x 4 (Mens)
Vaughn Harris x 3 (2 x Dropknee, 1 x Juniors)
Grant Lee (2 x Boys, 1 x Juniors)
Paul Basson x 3 (2 x Men, 1 x Masters)
James Wight x 3 (Masters)
In total we have had 94 bodyboarders who have claimed an SA Champ title over the years. Below are those that have had their names etched into the trophies:
So it goes without saying that there have been 24 - or 2 dozen - past Champions and so I thought I would dig up the list of past champs for everyone.
If you're a Central Kwa-Zulu Natal bodyboarder or supporter then you will probably already know that CKZN has won a staggering 21 of those titles. What you will probably be trying to forget is that Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal wrestled it off you in your backyard last year and are the current holders of the Team title. I somehow sense CKZN might have a score to settle this year, so it could be interesting. SKZN last won the title back in 2002 and relinqueshed the next year back to CKZN so they will no doubt be trying to better that record.
Western Province, the hosts, have one solitary win back in 1991 when they hosted the Champs and given the pool they have to draw from and some of the big names to come out of WP, you'd have to say that on paper they are the under-achiever in the team event - a record which they will be looking to set straight once again this year.
History has shown these three provinces to be the top 3 contenders but I'll be looking out for some improved performances from down the order. From a South African bodyboarding perspective it is always great to see the standard improving and talent emerging from other regions.
Inter-provincial Team Champion
1987-1990 Natal*
1991 Western Province
1992-2001 Natal*
2002 Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal
2003-2009 Central Kwa-Zulu Natal
2010 Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal
* Natal was renamed to Central Kwa-Zulu Natal
From the individual results the following bodyboarders have been South Africa's most successful champions with 3 or more wins:
Alistair Taylor x 8 (5 x Pro, 1 x Junior, 2 x Boys)
Mike van Huyssteen x 8 (2 x Pro, 5 x Masters, 1 x Grand Masters)
Sacha Specker x 5 (1 x Pro, 4 x Dropknee)
Craig Maree x 4 (1 x Pro, 3 x Dropknee)
Wayne Beekman x 4 (Mens)
Vaughn Harris x 3 (2 x Dropknee, 1 x Juniors)
Grant Lee (2 x Boys, 1 x Juniors)
Paul Basson x 3 (2 x Men, 1 x Masters)
James Wight x 3 (Masters)
In total we have had 94 bodyboarders who have claimed an SA Champ title over the years. Below are those that have had their names etched into the trophies:
Past SA Champions
Pro Division 2010 Mark McCarthy 2009 Sacha Specker 2008 Mark McCarthy 2007 David Lee 2006 Alistair Taylor 2005 Daniel Worsley 2004 Marc Jucker 2003 Craig Maree 2002 Philip Rodrigues 2001 Johan de Goede 2000 Johan de Goede 1999 Philip Rodrigues 1998 Paul Sartorius 1997 Dean Seppings 1996 Corne Snyders 1995 Alistair Taylor 1994 Alistair Taylor 1993 Nic Abrahams 1992 Alistair Taylor 1991 Grant Scheffer 1990 Alistair Taylor 1989 Mike van Huyssteen 1988 Mike van Huyssteen 1987 Kevin Dry | Dropknee Division 2010 Derek Footit 2009 Sacha Specker 2008 Sacha Specker 2007 Sacha Specker 2006 Derek Footit 2005 Vaughn Harris 2004 Vaughn Harris 2003 Sacha Specker 2002 Craig Maree 2001 Craig Maree 2000 Craig Maree |
Juniors Division 2010 Adam Waites 2009 Marc Webster 2008 David Lilienfeld 2007 Michael Ostler 2006 Michael Ostler 2005 Jared Houston 2004 Grant Lee 2003 Grant Lee 2002 Craig Geddes 2001 Craig Geddes 2000 Wesley Etheridge 1999 Darren Halse 1998 Donovan Lawson 1997 Vaughn Harris 1996 Ian Metcalf 1995 Steve Benson 1994 Pharic Crawford 1993 Neal Stephenson 1992 Neal Stephenson 1991 Brett Simpson 1990 Anton Johnson 1989 Alistair Taylor 1988 Jacques van Heerden 1987 Tony Goss | Boys Division 2010 Wesley Coetzee 2009 Stephen du Preez 2008 Robbie Waites 2007 Adam Waites 2006 Iain Campbell 2005 Iain Campbell 2004 Adam Morley 2003 Jaryd Enslin 2002 Grant Lee 2001 Henlu Starke 2000 Henlu Stark 1999 Ryan Enslin 1998 Ian Kruger 1997 Jacques du Buisson 1996 Andre Botha 1995 Russell Fish 1994 Ryan McSkimming 1993 Paul Gibbs 1992 Tristan Stunden 1991 Jason Boddy 1990 Nic Blignault 1989 Dean Payne 1988 Alistair Taylor 1987 Alistair Taylor |
Womens Division 2010 Natasha van Niekerk 2009 Suzie Vester 2008 Karla Costa-Taylor 2007 Pamela Bowren 2006 Inge Pieters 2005 Lize-Mari Ras 2004 Robyn Sorrenson 2003 Pamela Bowren 2002 Kamala Botha 2001 Danielle Danter 2000 Kamala Botha 1999 Olivia Donald 1998 Debra Patterson 1997 Olivia Donald 1996 Debra Patterson 1995 Kari Morris 1994 Ezanne Metelerkamp 1993 Kari Morris 1992 Trish Daniel 1991 Ezanne Metelerkamp 1990 Cathy McHale 1989 Ita Rugge 1988 Ita Rugge 1987 Sam Baillie | Mens Division 2010 Wayne Beekman 2009 Wayne Beekman 2008 Wayne du Preez 2007 Ryan Jucker 2006 Ralph Hoppe 2005 Wayne Beekman 2004 Wayne du Preez 2003 Wayne Beekman 2002 Tim O'Shea 2001 Paul Basson 2000 Paul Basson 1999 Brode Vosloo 1998 Sasha Taljaard 1997 Clinton Cooper 1996 Mark Maritz 1993 Riaan du Preez |
Masters Division 2010 Martin Otto 2009 Gustav Botha 2008 Paul Basson 2007 Wesley McQuillan 2006 Michael van Huyssteen 2005 Steve Polinski 2004 Steve Polinski 2003 Brad Keets 2002 Justin Smith 2001 Lee Slabber 2000 Marcel Habets 1999 Mike van Huyssteen 1998 Brett Moyce 1997 Marcel Habets 1996 Mike van Huyssteen 1995 Mike van Huyssteen 1994 Kevin Dry 1993 Mike van Huyssteen 1992 James Wight 1991 James Wight 1990 Lawrence Atkinson 1989 James Wight 1988 Crispin Hemson 1987 Mark Farrer | Grand Masters Division 2010 Mike van Huyssteen |